Missouri wide receiver Jalen Knox, left, runs down the sideline chased by Memphis's Bryce Huff, right, and other defenders during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. L.G. Patterson, AP

Missouri defensive back Adam Sparks, right, intercepts a pass in front of Memphis wide receiver Damonte Coxie, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. L.G. Patterson, AP

Oct 20, 2018; Columbia, MO, USA; A general view of the stadium as players start to warm up before the game between the Missouri Tigers and Memphis Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri defensive back Christian Holmes (21) returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. L.G. Patterson, AP

Memphis wide receiver Tony Pollard, left, celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. L.G. Patterson, AP

Missouri running back Damarea Crockett, top, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Kevin Pendleton, bottom, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. L.G. Patterson, AP

Memphis running back Patrick Taylor Jr., top, celebrates his touchdown with Drew Kyser during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won the game 65-33. L.G. Patterson, AP

Memphis running back Patrick Taylor Jr. scrambles past Missouri defenders for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won the game 65-33. L.G. Patterson, AP

Memphis DB TJ Carter on what Tigers have done to get better during bye week
Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal

Darrell Henderson is having an All-America year

A year after Anthony Miller blossomed into an All-American, Henderson is on track to do the same. He leads the nation in rushing yards, yards per carry, all-purpose yards and is tied for the national lead in total touchdowns. It’s no surprise Henderson was named to several midseason All-America teams, including the Associated Press.

Henderson has run for 1,148 yards, which is seventh-best all-time for a single season in Memphis history, and his 15 total touchdowns are the fifth-best single-season mark in program history. He's already the second-leading rusher in school history with 2,784 yards and tied for third with 27 rushing touchdowns.

At his current pace, Henderson could threaten DeAngelo Williams' single-season school records of 1,964 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns.

The rest of the Tigers’ offense is inconsistent

The Tigers are eighth nationally in total offense and 10th in scoring offense. Damonte Coxie leads the AAC with 663 receiving yards and Brady White is second in the AAC in passing yards (1,966), touchdowns (17) and quarterback rating.

The problem is Memphis’ passing is putting up the lowest yards per game under Norvell. The Tigers are averaging 256 passing yards this year compared to 304.4 and 335 yards in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Less turnovers, more problems

Memphis has given up 399.9 yards per game, which places them 76th in total defense. That’s the best ranking in the Norvell era, but the problem is the Tigers rank 60th in takeaways created (11) and 66th in turnover margin, both which are the worst of Norvell’s tenure.

Linebacker Bryce Huff is fourth in the AAC with 11 tackles for loss and is the Tigers’ co-leader in sacks with five along with Joseph Dorceus. Yet the bright spots are far and few between for a unit that has regressed in more ways this season.

It’s why these next four games will be critical for defensive coordinator Chris Ball.

A favorable schedule lies ahead

Memphis needs two wins to become bowl eligible and that should happen quickly. Its next two opponents, ECU and Tulsa, are not just a combined 3-11, they haven’t won a conference game.

The Tigers will likely be favored in both games as well as a road date at SMU, which has struggled with quarterback issues. There is a good chance Memphis could be 7-4 heading into the regular-season finale against Houston.

Bowl projections

ESPN and CBS Sports have projected Memphis to play in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22. USA Today is projecting the Tigers to play the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 18

The Tigers have history with both games. They lost the 2015 Birmingham Bowl to Auburn and lost in the 2016 Boca Raton Bowl in Norvell’s first year.